presbyters in Office whose part it was in the Ordination of Timothy 1 Tim. 4.14 Their common care and charge it was and not Pauls only 2 Tim. 1.6 We never read Paul to have practiced in or to have pretended to a sole power of Ordination or to so much as a negative voice in that particular though no doubt he had a greater latitude of authority than any can now lay claim to as being an Apostle not of or by man but by Jesus Christ Yet Paul was neither ordained nor did Ordain without the concurrence of some other Act. 13.1 2 3. ch 14.23 ' If any will yet implead ordination by a presbytery because without a Prelate 1 he ought to produce the divine institution of a Prelate distinct from a dignified beyond a Presbyter or Minister Certain we are the Apostles have left no such one upon their list of Church Officers Eph. 4 11. Rom. 12.6 7 8. 1 Cor. 12.28 and clear it is that a Bishop and Presbyter are all one in the language of the Scripture a) See sect 2. Tit. 1.10 b) vid. Hieronym ad Loc. Idem est ergo Presbyter qui Episcopus c. 1 Tim. 3.1 2. c) Post Episcopum Diaconi ordinationem subjicit Quare i st quia Episcopi Presbyteri una ordinatio est uterque exim saeerdos est Ambros ad Loc. c. having the same office the same ordination the same characters given to and qualitier ' required in them and the same work being committed to them And as clear 't is that a Presbyter or ordinary Minister is vested with a power of government or rule 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Thes 5.12 Act. 20.17 28. 2. Hee ought to prove the divine investiture of prelates with Ordination ard imposition of hands different from presbyters whereof ' we read not one word in all the Scriptures but of the laying on of the hands of the presbytery in fair and open characters 1 Tim. 4.14 True 't is that we read of Ordination by Timothy and Titus ' Evangelists by Paul and Barnabas Apostles but this neither directly serveth the cause of the Prelates they being neither Apostles nor Evangelists nor indirectly unlesse they can prove themselves to be a distinct order or dignity of Ministers by the divine appointment of Jesus Christ in that sence can put in a plea of being their successors which a Presbyter in a fair construction may 1 Pet. 5.1 2. Though a Prelate without a forced construction cannot Where doth ' the Scripture prescribe that there should be any ordination of Prelates different from or over and above their former ordination as Presbyters Or that there should be any Ordination by prelates as distinct from Presbyters When it is a ruled case that a Bishop or Prelate ordained per saltum i. e. who never had the Ordination of a Presbyter himself but only of a Bishop can neither consecrate and administer the Sacrament of the Lords body nor ordain a Presbyter d) of the Church l. 3. ch 39. by which it appeareth that a Bishop doth not excell a Presbyter by a distinct and higher order or power of order ' for which Doctor Field hath produced the acknowledgment of the most learned among the Papists d) Aquin. Bonavent Dominic à Soto Armacanus Camerar Contarenus e The instance of Timothy and Titus as if Bishops of Ephesus and Crete will be a covering too narrow For as we never read the Spirit of God calling them Bishops in Scripture the Post-script to those Epistles being disowned from being any part of the Canon by many Papists even by Baronius and the Rhemists and are so disproved by severall Protestants f vide Beza Anot. maj ad 1 Tim. 6.22 ad 2 Tim. 4.23 ad Tit. 3.14 So Timothy is expresly enough called an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 ' Nor could their frequent removes g see them described Jus Divin Min. Evan. par 2. p. 69. Smectimnuus sect 13. after the mention of their being at Ephesus and Crete have any consistence ' with the charge or Office of a Bishop which obligeth to a fixed residence among his flock to passe other reasons h see Jus Di vin Minist Evang. par 2. c. 5. throughout against their diocesan Episcopacy ' Their frequent diversions and journeys and various dispatches to and fro at the desire of the Apostles and as might best subserve the design and welfare of the generall visible Church do loudly enough proclaim them to be Evangelists I know there are on the other hand that vest the people with this power and priviledge of Ordination beyond what was ever possessed by the Prelates But with no countenance that I know from Christ yea or conveniency to Christians while it is little other than a seed-plot of dissentions among them and of divisions into parties and while beside their distance from the power of ruling whose place it is to be ruled such are their disabilities disproportion to make proof of mens ready instruction to the kingdom of God either in cleering the difficulties of the Gospel or in eâ—viâ—cing gainsayers 'T is true We read whatsome ingeniously observe before us k) London Ministâ—e in their Jns div min. evan par 3. c. 13. of Ordaining Elders in every Church but we never read of Ordaining Elders by any Church They Ordained them Elders in every Church Act. 14.23 Who Ordained them Paul and Barnabas for the people not the people for themselves That every Church should Ordain them Elders in every Church grates too much upon common sense and truth Nor will the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 help it out for what ever bee the import of l) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. To stretch out the hand which is still done in Ordination with imposition of hands Nor can there much more be evinced by the usage of this word in this place if there be any worth in that observation of learned Stephanus that it signifieth not to give suffrage but to create ordain c. when it governs an accusarive case as here it doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Steph. Thesaur Ling. graec ad verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manifest enough it is both from what is antecedent to this expression and what is after it that Paul and Barnabas were the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to whom they must necessarily bee understood to relate nine times besides in the narrative or relation which is herewith made ver 21. ad finem Far be it from mee to divest the Churches of Jesus from any part of those priviledges which are given them by his charter Let it be granted them for me that the people may choose and look out men and set them before the Presbytery as they did for Deacons before the Apostles still observing their limies Act. 6.3 5 6. But the Presbytery 't is that commit the Ministry appoint and send forth the men as then did the Apostles ver 3.6
Eldad and Medad say you do prophesie in the Camp Numb 11.27 Answ True and who would not have wished with Moses in the same case would God all the Lord's people were Prophets But Lo when was it not til the Lord took off the Spirit that was upon Moses and it rested upon them ver 26. ' And who were they Of them that were written but went not out unto the Tabernacle ver 26. i. e. of the Seventy Elders officers of Israel whom God commands Moses to bring thither and covenants to put upon them of his Spirit ver 16 17 18 Object But we are all Priests unto God Rev. 1.6 Answ True but not all Prophets 1 Cor. 12.29 The same Christ who hath made us Priests hath made us Kings too a royall Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2.9 We are neither properly but in a figurative sense onely ' Will not this vest us with a civill authority to mulct and punish how will that then to Minister publickly or preach Object But we all ought to be teachers of others Heb. 5.12 Answ True even women are not exempted but enjoyn'd Titus 2.3 4. Yet not in the Churches how eminently soever gifted 1 Cor. 14.34 35. Privately and charitatively all may all must as I have said Oh let your families friends and with whom ye walk in fellowship witnesse it and let the Word of God dwell richly in you to this purpose Col. 3.16 But ought therefore all to teach publickly and authoritatively likewise Nay here our Apostle Are all teachers 1 Cor. 12. ver 29. i. e. all are not all ought not 1 Cor. 12.29 ' Shew us I pray you where any gifted brother may assume authority to himself or where he is allowed of our Saviour as in his name and stead to teach publickly in the assemblies of his servants and where attention is due to him in so doing by commandment from the Lord Hath Christ ever said to such as he hath to his office-Ministers He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me c. Luk. 10.16 Object But we must speak often one to another rebuke consider comfort edifie and exhort one another not only our families but especially those with whom wee walk in fellowship Answ True do it and spare not No good man or Minister durst disswade or discourage it Nay this wee do command and charge you by the Lord. * Mal. 3.16 Levit. 19.17 Heb. 10.24 25. 1 Thes 5.11 Heb. 3.13 But what is this to warrant your publick preaching in the Churches of Christ Is there no difference between that and private Christian-converse conferences which grow out of charity and the communion of Saints ' Do you will you say but that women among you as wel as men are intended by the Apostle in those Scriptures whereto you allude yet who seeth not that women must keep silence in the Churches 1 Cor. 14.34 Pray shew us from Scripture where men out of office are enjoined to such publick teaching or so to teach from which women are precluded Object Say you as every man hath received the gift even so should wee minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God Answ True ' But your selves wil not say I think that women are excluded from what this text enjoyneth Accept this command then in it's greatest latitude it can import no more than this if you allow what I am sure you must and believe you do in it's full accord with other Scriptures that wee minister the gift we have received one to an other every one in his own orb in his order Publick Ministers of the Church in which he instanceth ver 11. in a publick and authoriâ—ative way private members of the Church in a private and charitative way as did Aquila and Priscilla Act. 18.26 ' And beyond doubt those women that laboured with Paul in the Gospel Phil. 4.3 for he suffered not a woman to teach in the Church 1 Tim. 2.12 And truly otherwise upon the same ground that you infer from this text that every one who hath gifts for publick preaching must minister the same publickly upon the same ground with equalâ— right and reason may another inter that this gifted person must preach publickly whether the Church approves him gifted and indulgeth him this liberty or not and indeed where that call and comprâ—bation of the Church hath any foot-steps in Scripture which some speak of e're such shall exercise his gifts I see not and again that every man who hath received gifts or abilities to administer the Sacraments or to absolv from censures may and must minister the same to others which you do not dare not grant nor indeed may without destroying the order of the Churches despising the Ordinances of Christ and denying the necessity of Ministers by office And I pray consider whether more eminent abilities be needfull for the ordinary ministration of Sacraments than for preaching and whether you are more evidently excluded by this text or by any other from ordinary ministration of Sacraments than of sermons But if you limit this command according to the liberty which the words afford you it speaks for us and against you For what are stewards but men in office and in what other notion is it ever used in Scripture or where And thus it wil be no more than this in the sense of it That as every man hath received the office which is by gift frequently understood in Scripture Rom. 12.6 7. Eph. 4.8 cum 11. so he minister viz. according to his trust and office which is illustrated particularly v. 11. wherein he distinguisheth these officers or stewards into two species or ranks viz. such as are to speak from Christ and such as are to serve in his Church such as are to be the mouth of God authoritatively to guide them and such as are to minister as of the ability which God hath given i. e. Bishops or Presbyters and Deacons as he frequently elsewhere maketh the distribution Phil. 1. 1 Tim. 1.3 c. These he describeth by the most eminent acts of their office and directeth how they shall discharge them Object Why they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word Acts 8.4 True but who were they If you say men out of office let us hear your proof the onely particular man therewith mentioned is Philip ver 5. who was e're this ordained Chap. 6.5 6. and was an Evangelist Chap. 21.8 Again when did they it when the Church was all scattered abroad which was at Jerusalem verse 1. And is there no difference between preaching under the scattering of the Churches and during their settlement ' Though I think that the universal term all ver 1. doth rather intend all the Ministers of that Church except the Apostles than all the members For why or where should the Apostles have stayed if all these had been scattered abroad Or how could Saul have been stil making havock of the
the contents and aim of these Epistles which concern publick tranfactions in the Church especially publick teachers or if 3. the command it self be duly weighed fo◠such as are to teach but privately an◠from grounds of charity only need n◠such commitment of these things t◠them nor needs it that there be such choyce of men this being every ma◠and womans duty Heb 5.12 Nor ca◠any thing be justly impleaded from the Apostles use of the future tense who shall b◠able to teach others also for though tha◠they shal be able to teachothers be necessari◠antecedent to the commitment of the Office◠sensu physico i. e. that they shal have abi◠lities to teach yet it followeth the commitment of the Office sensu morali i. e. tha◠they shall use such abilities ordinarily or b◠able to teach others acceptably and lawfully remembring still that old honest an◠veceived principle Illud tantum possumu◠quod jure possumus We are able to do n◠more than we are able in Law or may 〈◊〉 lawfully And thus our text aptly corresponds to that of the same Apostle Rom. 10. vers 15. How shall they preach except they be sent i. e. how shall they preach warrantably Abilities they must have before sending but sending vests them with authority So that the words speak as much in effect as this Doth Timothy know such as are faithfull and fit or able to teach others he must commit these things to them as Trustees for others Doth he find any so qualified for the Office to teach hee must leave them Commissioned to this Office Are they qualified with fidelity and ability Timothy must commit to them a furniture of authoriy Thirdly but how must Timothy commit these things this Office to them What! he only he and none but hee No we never find the Ministry committed to any by a single person but still it is done by severall in society We always read of more than one concurring to it and never remember less than two And those are no less than were Paul Barnabas Act. 14.23 The Twelve are associates in it Acts 6.2 3 6. and it is the joint act of how many teachers and Prophets Act. 13.1 2 3. The seat and subject of this power is not a Presbyter but the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 Can we rationally think that Paul doth require Timothy to commit the Ministry to others so as recedes from and hath no consistency with the practice of Paul in the same case upon Timothy himself Well and who of us doth not remember that Timothy received his Commission no tonly by the laying on of Paul's hands but of the Presbytery likewise 2 Tim. 1 6. and 1 Tim. 4.14 True 't is that Titus is to Ordain Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 City by City where the Churches were planted and their condition called for it but with this proviso as Paul had appointed him Tit. 1.5 And who can think that Paul's appointments and Paul's actions should so little accord or so much interfere that Paul should order either Titus there or Timothy here to do that singly by himself which Paul an Apostle never did if I may not say never durst but in society It is granted that this command did concern Timothy eminently and signally above others but not exclusively so as to shut out all others It must be done by others likewise though it be directed to and is to be directed by him especially as one that had an eminent and speciall trust about the ordering of this and all other Church affairs being by office an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 Fourthly Yet once more to whom must Timothy commit this trust these things in way of office What to all the Congregation No There must be some to be taught as well as others sent forth to teach What then to any of whatever qualification Nor this They must be at least men of a good life faithfull men yea and men of good learning too that shall be able to teach others also The text thus opened the truth is obvious which I shall at this time take up or observe from it Observ Those that are authoritatively from Christ in his Church to teach others must have that Office committed to them as well as bee qualified for that Office How orient me thinks is this observation in all its truths from the text Lo 1. Some there must be in the Church who are authoritatively from Christ to teach others But then 2. That there may be such in the Church who are from Christ to teach authoritatively they must have the Office committed to them by some Timothy Yet 3. Timothy may not give Commission to this Office unlesse he find qualifications for this Office Timothy may not dare to confer authority on any without due cognizance first had both of their fidelity and ability Well 4. Hath God qualified any with fidelity and ability yet though they are able to teach others they may not acceptably teach others in the sense mentioned unlesse for proof of those abilities untill Timothy hath from God committed to them authority likewise But to lead you further abroad Give me leave to open and offer to you these five things and thereto lend me I beseech you your most strict and serious attention 1. There must bee some in the Church who are by Office from Christ authoritatively to teach others 2. They must be qualified for this Office 3. They must have this Office cōmitted to them 4. How it must be cōmitted And 5. Why it must be committed to them First there are to be some in the Church who are by Office authoritatively from Christ to teach others I say by Office but this not civil but spiritual Officers wee are not in the Common-wealth but in the Church to which Christ hath promised I will also make thy Officers peace Isa 60.17 Thus brethren and beloved we may with Paul magnifie our Office * Rom. 11.13 An Office the Ministry is 1 Tim. 3.1 Yea such is the Deaconship ver 10.13 and therefore this much more which as to your want and its worth doth so much transcend that as the Apostles intimate Act. 6.2 What lesse than this that it is an Office doth Paul assert of his own Ministry Rom. 11.13 or assure the Saints of ours when he tells them Rom. 12.4 That as we have many members in one body naturall and all members have not the same Office so 't is in the body mysticall too ver 5.6 wherein Deacons Pastors Teachers and Rulers be in distinct Office as the 7. and 8. verses import So that Preachers are by Office distinct from and dignified above the people Are all Teachers saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.29 It is no more possible that all be Ministers or Teachers in the body spiritual than that all be Magistrates in the body civill or that all be Officers in the body military or that all the members be eye or tongue in the body
of them and the Lord is among them wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord Numb 163 Nor could I ever yet hear of any thing more eminent among them than is error and confusion who have taken qualifications to give Commission Alas this must needs break the unity and blast the purity of the Churches quickly N 1. It must needs break the unity of the Chuâ—ches a blessing how desirable in it self and how dear to our Saviour if nothing but fitness and forwardness bee requisite to make an Officer or Minister Wo to the Common-wealth of this Israel If every one that had ability had therefore authority too If every one that probably is or presumeth himself to be fit for such or such an Office were thereby put into it and must be so obeyed or if every one who is qualified for must bee therefore counted a Judge Justice yea or but a Constable Hath God provided against such intrusions upon civill Offices and will he permit it in sacred Taken such care in order to the accord and quiet of the Common wealth and hath he thrown it by with respect to his Church which is so much dearer to him than are all the Societies in the world beside Who would be ruled if but to presume our selvs qualified would make us rulers either in Church or State Surely this would make the militant Church like that military body where qualifications to command were a commission for a Company The Church should have all Officers and no Souldiers quickly and if it did not run with such an army into blood and confusion yet would soon and surely run with it into bitternesse and contentions ' He that can secure me the peace and unity of that Kingdome where every one that is fit may be thereby supreme or of that County wheâ—â— every one that is fit may be thereby Sheriffe or but of that Corporation where every one that is fit may be thereby Major shall be with me a none-such among men and may perswade if any that the beauty and harmony of the Churches of Jesus may be preserved too wherein every one that judgeth himself fit is thereby made a Minister and Officer Let me add â—his if Ministers are not Officers * the Church hath none For who else can shew me so clear evidences And if men may bee bold with this Office in the Church to invest themselves with it and to execute at pleasure why they should be backward to or baulk any other Office I know not For this of all others is most sacred and most circumscribed And if all Offices lye in common where shall we look for the Churches Concord Ah Sirs have wee read the 12 to the Romans from the the 3 to the 9 or the 1 Cor. 12 And can we think our blessed head and Master in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and kindnesse so remisse about conferring Offices and so regardlesse of the Churches concord as this amounts to What! are there so many unities and all with respect had to the Church One body and one spirit even as they are called in one hope of their calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in them all Eph. 4.5 6. Lo therefore Christ hath given Pastours and Teachers names of Office verse 8 11. that they may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace verse 3. and that till we all come in the unity of the faith c. ver 13. N. 2. This will blast the purity of the Churches too and let in what not that is destructive to verity and the power of Godlinesse If our stiâ—ring times have not given sufficient testimonie to this sad truth I know not what times ever did or shall What through uncalled Preachers and uncatechised hearers Oh! the havock and convulsions that are made in the Churches of Jesus And indâ—ed who can expect but that those who will vainly or violently enter upon the Ministery without Ordination shall likewise venturously employ themselves in it without observation Witnesse those false teachers whereof Peter tells vs. 2 Peter Chapter 2. and Jude from the fourth to the twentieth verse Who may or how can wee expect other than unsetlednesse in the love of the Gospell and unsoundnesse in the life of godlinesse from that man or men who shake off the order of the Gospell Surely they that heap to themselvs teachers walk but after their own lusts therein and have it ching ears turned from the truth and unto fables 2 Tim. 4.3 4. And therefore whether they that make themselvs teachers are like to walk in the law of God and to lead you in the ways of that truth which is according to godlinesse judg ye What lesse can be said than this That measuring themselvs by themselves and comparing themselvs among themselvs they are not wise and if the premisses be considered how wicked Sect. 3. It 's for the beartning and comfort of such teachers that beside qualifications they shall have the Office committed to them their comfortable incouragement much conducing to the credit and interesse of that King Jesus whose Embassadours they are Sirs the duties difficulties and discouragements of Ministers how various are they how involved And alas what sorry things are our best qualifications to support us without the strong aid of that grace which sets before us the benefit of our Commission to stay and cheer our hearts Who of us my brethren but must confess with Paul that wee are not sufficient of our selvs so much as to think any thing as of our selvs Where then is our sufficiencie and what is our support Our sufficiency is of God who also hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament 2 Cor 3.5 6. That God who hath made us Ministors is the spring head of our sufficiencies in the discharge and exercise of our Ministry and that God hath made us Ministers is the stay and basis of our hopes in all the difficult emergencies of our Ministry * See 2 Tim. 1.11 12. That our God hath sent us is the stablishing consideration against all despondencies and discouragements that he will supply strengthen secure and work all our works in us and for us And Lo by this it is that God would have us to chide down our fears and to keep up our faith I sanctified thee saith he to Jeremie and I ordained thee a Prophet unto the Nations Doth Jeremie say Aâ— Lord God! I am a child behold I cannot speak Ay but hear what the Lord saith unto Jeremy say not 〈◊〉 am a child for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak Be not affraid of their faces for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord Behold I have made thee a defenced City c. Jer. 1.5 6 7 8 18 19. An beloved God doth